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| Pictured: The White House Black Market Work Kit, stylish & affordable office fashions |
One of the most heartbreaking things about this economic downturn, at least to me, is how hard it is for young adults in their 20′s to find a job. After paying for an expensive college education, or even graduate degree, many graduates can’t find work right away. This means that for this generation of young people, the new “Baby Boomers” or the Millennials, many are still living at home with Mom and Dad or working at jobs for which they are over qualified. According to Wikipedia “Economic prospects for the Millennials have worsened due to the late-2000s recession. Several governments have instituted major youth employment schemes out of fear of social unrest due to the dramatically increased rates of youth unemployment.” Witness the recent Occupy Wall Street movement to see signs of this “social unrest.” I think most of us are aware how tough the employment market is today, especially for those who are trying to enter the market without prior work experience on their resume. That’s one reason I wanted write about the issues Millennials are facing finding jobs right now. It’s hard to be unemployed. You still have to put your “game face” on for interviews and purchase a good suit or dress for a job interview. I’ve talked to several recruiters who tell me that even though the workplace has changed and more people are dressing casually, job hunters still need a good suit for an interview, or for women, if you don’t have a suit, a good professional dress or matching jacket and skirt.
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| Pictured: A simple, classic Brooks Brother black jacket, on sale for $98.00, reduced from $325.00. |
- Look for big designer and retail clearance sales this time of year. Then look for a coupon to further bring the price down. Sites like CouponCabin, CouponMountain and RetailMeNot, can help you save. The recent Divine by Design sale in Los Angeles featured suits from Brooks Brothers for 80 to 90% off of retail rates. I was next to a twenty-something job hunter filling his cart up with about 5 good suits at Divine by Design. If you’re shopping for a guy, check out Overstock.com for deals on suits. TJ Maxx and Loehmann’s also sell suits and separates for work at great discounts.
- Shop the consignment stores in your area for good deals on suits and good dresses. How do you find them? Check Yelp! for listings in your area. In Los Angeles, I’ve seen Armani suits at the Beit T’Shuvah Thrift store in Culver City for $100.00 or less.
- Check out the Brooks Brothers online clearance sale happening now for 70% off. For women, Brooks Brothers has a lot of jackets for less than $100.00 on their clearance, that you can pair with matching slacks or a skirt that you may already have.
- Shop the White House Black Market “Work Kit Collection.” WHBM has many great looks for the office for under $150, $125 and $100.00. Check their sale/clearance section for looks less than $75.00.
- Check the online shopping clubs. Invitations are posted under The Recessionista’s top picks on the right nav bar on the blog. Right now, Ideeli has a Career Chic sale featuring fashions for work from Ellen Tracy, Calvin Klein and Vivienne Tam. If you’re not already a member of Ideeli, click here to sign-up and use my invite to shop the sale.
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| Pictured: Budget tips and planning tools are plentiful on LearnVest.com |
Giveaway: $200 Amex Gift Card from the American Express Millennial Program
Here’s what you need to do to enter the giveaway. Submit your questions about finding a job in the current challenging job market through comments, Tweets, and Facebook posts on The Recessionista’s group page for a chance to have your questions answered by Christine and win a $200 American Express gift card. Here’s a sample question, “Can the use of Social Media help a job hunter? How?”
This giveaway is going to run through Dec. 27, 2011 to give everyone a chance to ask their questions to get ready for their job hunt in 2012. Submit your questions using the Rafflecopter Widget below. It’s easy to use, simply sign in via Facebook or via your email, then follow the instructions. This contest will be open until Dec. 27th, 2011 midnight EST. Contest is only open to US Residents. If you don’t see the Rafflecopter widget, leave a comment using the comment button underneath the post with your email address or click the Read More Link, underneath this post.
Please make sure to click on the “DO IT” to do each task and once you have completed the task click the “ENTER” button to confirm your entry. Make sure to enter your name and email for each selection, so your entries will be counted. Good Luck!
FTC disclosure: I will receive a gift card in the amount of $200.00 from American Express for sponsoring this giveaway and advertising their program on my blog. The opinions in this post are my own, as are my recommendations on workplace fashions.
Since 2008, Mary Hall has been the author of 
43 Comments
On the subject of how to dress: If you know that the workplace itself is extremely casual–for example, jeans and a polo–should one dress as if for the job? How much should one dress up for the interview?
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com
On the subject of returning to the job market after an absence- how best to describe what you were doing while gone?
baypayments@yahoo.com
On the subject of how to dress: Should you wear the same outfit for a second interview with a company?
cspv1st at aol dot com
How do I make myself stand out in the last stage of interview among last five qualified applicants? What does the company look for to reach the final decision at this point?
Can't get this into the form.
commented on your FB wall.https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150469114878393&id=45497273392
I am going back to work after taking 10 years off to take care of my family. Any tips for where to start and what approach to take in the interview. I have been caring for my 80+ year old mother and don't really want to get into that.
petuniahiggenbottom AT yahoo
What are the pros and cons of using a professional resume writer? Because I am Having a Hard time pulling mine together.
jkys8675309 at yahoo dot com
Cool and most adorable fashion.
I have a brother in law with a Master's Degree who has never been able to find a professional job in his field so he's been working as a waiter. What can he do to have a prospective employer give him a chance?
I'm entering the rafflecopter with my FB username Mary Happymommy.
I graduated in May, and can't find a job, period. How do I get a job that I'm overqualified for? It's like they don't bother with me, because they know/think I won't stay long. Nicoledixonfoster at yahoo dot com
Nicole F.
What is your best advice for a former stay-at-home Mom looking for job? Any tips on how to present herself?
elena150980@yahoo.com
Should you include your blog information and link on a resume?
How do you properly show your experience when you were self-employed? Rather than looking like a failed entrepreneur.
What is the best way to get ahead of the competition besides a good resume?
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
Amanda S
I commented on fb with my question as Amanda Sakovitz bc I couldn't get into the form.
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
What about working in a school? Is a suit still acceptable for an educator?
jcrawford24 at student.gsu.edu
how to market myself after being a stay at home mom for years?
I am new the this area. How do I get my foot in the door in my job market. I have a degree and experience, but I don't know where to start?
merleandtina@Yahoo.com
I'm a Caribbean Psychology graduate and my country limits my job possibilities but I'm afraid to travel because I am not sure of the degree evaluation for countries outside mine…Any tips?
what is the perfect 50$ outfit to wear to an interview in a well known corporation?
What are some good interview strategies that I could use to make myself stand out more?
bec.shockley@gmail.com
When is an appropriate time to talk about salary during an interview…do you wait until they bring it up or do you bring it up?
Jennifer Marie
lilnursejen at yahoo dot com
How do you handle the question that you're too qualified for a job? What should you say?
flyergal82 AT (yahoo) /dot/ %com^
how do i address time between jobs? what is a good way to stand out clothes wise without being unprofessional! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
how do I build/create a network using social media and how do I find out which HR people are using social media to get employees?
how do I build/create a network using social media and how do I find out which HR people are using social media to get employees?
Is it okay to ask for a better salary? Or more perks? Or should we just take what we can get?
Maggie at tethered mommy dot com
What is the best way to be prepared for an interview?
How do you keep your social media profiles such as Facebook, Myspace, Twitter ideal for when employers search for your name online?
If I have a college degree and am unable to find a job I specialize in should I take a job I am over qualified for? ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
G+ follower ashleyhatten
Having a college degree increases your chances in today's market, A Education goes a long way in making a secure life for yourself
Is the 'power suit' still recommended when interviewing?
What is the best way to contact potential employers of a small business (cold calls/email)? And what do you say
I have been a SAHM for several years how do I answer the what and why of my decision
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
what are the best tips for a successful interview? And a good resume?
vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com
i would love to know options of what you can do with little ones at home. amypugmire@live.com
How does one enter the job market aftering being out for so long? katbirdfl (at) gmail (dot) com
My friend who only have a high school degree got layed off over a year ago and still haven't found a job? How can he prove that he is qualified in the job interviews?
What kind of outfit should you wear to an interview for a fashion related job? You want to look trendy but also professional.
My question is how you can you effectively negotiate hours and pay in this tight market in which the employer has the upper hand?
KellywcuATyahooDOTcom
I am thinking about going to tech school to learn something new for a job field. What is a really good field to go into in the economy? I have been a stay at home mom for six years, but with my daughter in school, I need to rethink what I need to do for work. taam216(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm currently unemployed (laid off from previous job). What is the best response when asked why have you been out of work for so long?
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you so very much!!! I saw you tweet this and woke my husband up with all the woots
I think this is a common question and one we women face after taking time off perhaps for children or as caretakers later on for parents.
Thanks so much again!!!